Electrical connector



June 5, 1962 E. R. HABERLAND ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR etl Filed Nov. 16, 1960 {QJ/f7@ l June 5, 1962 E. R. HABERLAND 3,038,140

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Filed Nov. 16, 1960 l 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 QCM/,

ite States The present invention relates generally to electrical connectors and relates more specifically to connectors for use with flat multiconductor ribbon cables.

In making a plurality of electrical interconnections, it has been common practice to employ individual wires disposed either individually or in groups between various electrical devices. Contemporary electrical apparatus has employed a type of multiconductor cable that is in the form of a ribbon or tape of an insulating material, such as a llexible plastic, having flat metallic strips embedded therein and disposed in parallel spaced relationship to each other. Ribbon cable of this type may be in the order of a few inches in width, with a thickness of a small fraction of an inch and Ihaving in the order of ten to ifty or more conductors. The conductors are generally copper or the like that are provided with a coating or surface treatment which enables adherence of the plastic material thereto.

While the flat tape type of multiconductor cable has been known heretofore, serious disadvantages in the use thereof reside in the ability to connect the individual conductors to sockets or plugs or to enable an interconnection between coextensively disposed ribbon cables. In providing such connections, it has been the practice either to mold or form particular end configurations on the conductors and to produce these and structures in such a manner as to leave surfaces thereof free from insulation. When connecting such cable to connectors or plugs, it has been necessary to solder or otherwise attach each individual conductor to an associated pin or individual connector element. In other instances, the insulation surrounding the conductors has been stripped therefrom and the bared conductors have then been soldered or otherwise affixed to rigid connector elements. It is clearly apparent that these connection techniques used hereinbefore not only require considerable time in the manufacture, preparation and assembly to connectors, but also involves the handling, stripping and soldering of thin, flexible and easily damaged conductors. Accordingly, not only have prior connector arrangements been impractical and eX- pensive in both manufacture and assembly, but the reliability of the connection has left much to be desired in view of the delicate nature of the conductors. Furthermore, this prior type of construction has required the use of separate and distinct conductor strain relief apparatus that has added to the complexity, weight and cost thereof.

In still another instance, attempts have been made to connect the multiconductors of a flat ribbon cable to connectors or to each other by means of mechanical clamps which rely upon a solid bar, rod or plate to urge the conductors into contact with each other or connector elements. These structures have been unsatisfactory, inasmuch as the mechanical pressure exerted on individual conductors may vary between conductors, thus reducing the reliability and effectiveness thereof.

An optimum connector for multiconductor ribbon cable must therefore utilize lengths of standard cable without concern for special terminal end construction or the necessity for individual handling or soldering of tie conductors. Furthermore, it must be possible merely to cut a desired length of ribbon cable, strip the insulation therefrom and connect the cable to other lengths of cable or to connectors in a minimum of time, with a minimum of are t ice connector apparatus from both size and weight standpoints, and as rapidly as possible without undue concern for the individual conductors. In so connecting the conductors of ribbon cable, the contact pressure must also be uniform on all of the individual conductors.

It is therefore one important object of the present invention to provide an improved connector for multiconductor ribbon cable of the class described.

lt is another impoltant object of the present invention to provide connector arrangements for multiconductor at ribbon cable that are reliable in use, economical in manufacture, eflicient in operation, and relatively small in size and weight.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide a connector for hat multiconductor ribbon cable which employs a resilient material in a hydrostatic manner such that a pressure is exerted uniformly and perpendicularly to all surfaces as an element for simultaneously securing all of the conductors of the cable to connector elements or to conductors of other similar cable.

A still further important object of the invention is to provide means for connecting one length of a dat multiconductor ribbon cable to other similar cable or cables.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for connecting hat multiconductor ribbon cable to plugs or connectors that are considered as being of standard types, 'whereby to enable use of such ribbon cable in a wide range of installational situations.

A still further important object of the invention is to provide a combination of connection means for conductors of flat multiconductor ribbon cable with other similar cable or with plugs or receptacles, while simultaneously providing relief of any strain which might otherwise be imposed upon the individual conductors.

Another object of the invention is to provide a connector for multiconductor flat ribbon cable which provides the desired interconnection between conductor elements and simultaneously seals the resulting connection against intrusion of environmental elements.

Other and further important objects of the invention will become apparent from the disclosures and the following detailed specification, appended claims and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE l is an isometric view showing a typical simpliied form of connector formed in accordance with the present invention;

FlG. 2 is an exploded isometric View of the connector illustrated in FIG. l;

FlG. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 3 3, FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is another transverse sectional View taken substantially as indicated by line 4 4, FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View showing details of the connection between coextensively arranged ilat ribbon cable elements;

FIG. 6 is :an exploded isometric view showing the present invention as applied to the connection of multiconductor hat ribbon cable to an electrical plug element;

FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken through the assembled electrical plug element of FIG. 6 and showing the ends of the ribbon cable attached to connector elements; and

FIG. 8 is a transverse sectional view through another form of the present invention and including a means for hermetically sealing the ribbon cable and connector relative to an adjacent structure.

With reference to the drawings, the simpliflied for-m of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 embodies the principles hereof in connecting the conductors of one end of a multiconductor ribbon cable to the conductors of another ribbon cable disposed in a coextensive manner.

As shown, the ribbon cable sections are indicated at 10 and 11. The ribbon cable is shown in detail in FIG. and further includes a plurality of parallel, longitudinally extending, spaced, metallic conductors 12 that are ernbedded in a suitable plastic insulating material 13. In preparing the ribbon cables 11 and 12 for attachment of the conductors therein to each other, the insulating material 13 is removed from one side thereof, whereby to expose surfaces of the conductors 12 as at 14 and 15. The insulating material 13 may be removed by any desired means; however, it has been found that a heated blade serves particularly well to soften and permit removal of the insulating material from the conductors 12. Any surface coating on the conductors 12 is also removed, thus to expose the base copper material thereof.

The connector used in this specific instance is indicated generally at 16 and includes an outer generally rectangular tnd tubular housing or shell 17 that is circumferentially continuous, may be made from any suitable rigid material and is preferably metallic. The shell 17 serves to enclose and completely surround a resilient compression member 18. The member 118 is constructed as by molding from a suitable resilient material, such as rubber, neoprene, or the like, and is provided with a longitudinal slot 20, FIG. 3, for reception of the ribbon cables and 11. As shown primarily in FIGS. 3 and 4, a pair of end plates `211 and 2&2 are disposed within opposite ends of the shell 17 and in contact with planar outer end surfaces of the resilient member 1'8. The `plates 21 and 22 are each provided with a longitudinal slot 23 that is coextensively disposed relative to the slot 20 in the resilient member 18 and adapted for reception of the ribbon cables 10 and 11. The plates 21 and 22 may be made from any suitable material such as a rigid metal or plastic and are secured in position in the shell 17 by means of a pair of screws 2'4 and elongated tubular nuts 25. The screws 24 and nuts are disposed through suitable openings 26 and 27 in the resilient member 18 and plates 21 and 22 respectively. It may be seen that whi-le the plates 21 and 22' are both shown as being independent members, one of these plates may be formed as a portion of the housing or shell 17 without departing from the spirit and scope hereof..

It may be seen that when the screws 24 are threadably engaged in the tubular nuts 215, the plates 21 and 22 will be moved in a direction to tend to compress the resilient member 18. The resilient member 18 thereafter acts in a manner similar to a hydrostatic fluid by exerting a pressure uniformly and perpendicularly to all surfaces to force the exposed surfaces 14 and 15 of the conductors 12 into intimate contact with each other. It is further to be noted that the disposition of forces is substantially equal over the entire number of conductors, thereby establishing equal contact pressure and equal electrical connection therebetween. Additionally, it is to be noted that the resilient member 18 engages the outer surface of the insulating material 13 of the ribbon cables 11 and 12 for a substantial distance from the joint formed by the interconnection of the bared surfaces 14 and 15 of the conductors. When the plates 21 and 22 are moved toward each other, the resilient member 18 thereby grips the cables 10 and 11 and serves to provide strain relief to prevent separation of the connected conductors upon application of longitudinal forces to the cables. 'The resilient member 18 also firmly engages the interior surface of the shell 17 and prevents any inadvertent movement of the resilient member 18 relative to the shell 17.

As shown in FIGS. 6i and 7, the principles of the present invention may also be applied to the attachment of one of more multiconductor ribbon cables of the class described to a connector or plug arrangement. A typical connector is illustrated at 80 and includes an outer tubular shell 81 having a transverse partition 82 disposed therein. The partition 812 may be made from any suitable non-electrically conductive material and serves to support a plurality of connector pins 83 which extend from one side of the partition 82 and which have blocks 84 formed thereon and disposed from the other side of the partition 82. The blocks 184 are arranged in equally spaced parallel rows.

While the illustrations in FIGS. 6 and 7 show the attachment of a plurality of cables to the plug 80, it is to be understood that a similar arrangement may be used for connecting a single cable to a similar rectangular or circular plug arrangement. In the particular illustrated form, ribbon cables indicated generally at 85, 86 and 87, each having a plurality of conductors 88, are adapted for connection to the blocks 84. yThe connectors includes an end plate 89 and a resilient member 90. In this instance, the cables 8'5, 86 and 87 are adapted to extend through suitable slots 91 in the end plate 89 and through suitable slots `92 in the resilient member 90. rIihe cables 85, 86 and 87 have the insulation removed from one side of the conductors 88 as at 93, with the bared conductors individually engaging surfaces of the blocks 84. The plate 89 and partition 82 are retained within the shell 81 and urged in a direction to compress the resilient member by means of a suitable screw and nut arrangements 94 and 95 that are positioned adjacent corners of the shell 81, there being suitable cutouts 96 in the resilient member 90 for reception of the tubular nuts 95. The resilient member 90 is further provided with molded rectangular recesses 97 which serve to receive the blocks 84. As by the principles previously described, the resilient member 90 acts in a hydrostatic manner, that is, exerts a pressure uniformly and perpendicularly to all surfaces to urge the bared surfaces 93 of the conductors 88 into tight contact with the blocks 84, serves to retain the tape cables 85, 86 and 87 in connection with the plug 80 and further to maintain plate 89 and partition 82, as well as the resilient member 90, in position within the tubular shell 81.

With reference to FIG. 8, it may be seen that the principles of the present invention `may also be employed to provide an environmentally sealed arrangement for a feedthrough relative to a panel or partition 100. In the arrangement of FIG. 8, a pair of multiconductor ribbon cables, indicated generally at 101 and 102, are adapted for connection together as at 103 in a manner similar to that described in connection with the arrangement illustrated in FIGS. l through 5. In this particular arrangement, the connector or feedthrough arrangement is indicated generally at 104 and includes a tubular shell 105 having a central partition 106 formed as a portion thereof. This partition 106 has a central slot 107 for reception of the ribbon cable 101. The shell 105 further has an outwardly extending flange 108 that is substantially radially coextensive with the partition 106. The flange 108 is adapted for connection to the panel or partition 100 as by suitable screws and nuts 110 there being a gasket or seal 111 disposed between the flange 108 and the panel 100. The panel 100 is further provided with a suitable opening 112 for reception of the connector and/ or feedthrough arrangement 104. The partition 106 serves to divide the connector 104 into a pair of chambers in which resilient members 113 and 114 are disposed. Compression plates 115 and 116 engage outer surfaces of the resilient members 113 and 114 respectively, there being slots 117 and 118 in the plates 115 and 116 for reception of the ribbon cables 101 and 102. The resilient members 113 and L114 are also provided with slots 120 and 121 for reception of the ribbon cables. The plates 115 and 116 are retained in position and urged in a direction to compress the resilient members 113 and 114 by means of suitable screws 122 and tubular nuts 123, the nuts 123 being carried by and extending from the partition 106.

It may thus be seen that the resilient member 113 serves to provide a hermetic seal for feedthroulgh of the cables 101 and 102 relative to the panel 100. The resilient member 114 serves in a similar manner and fur ther acts to establish the connection 103 between the cables 101 and 102. In this connection, it is to be understood that the connector 104 may be used as a simple feedthrough arrangementA for a single cable with no connections made therein.

In accordance with the several described arrangements of the present invention, it is to be noted that a simplified, highly effective, reliable and inexpensive interconnection method and apparatus is provided for specic use with at, multiconductor, electrical ribbon cable. It may also be seen that the pressure exerted on the interconnected ends of the conductors is equal for all the conductors. It may also be seen that the ribbon cables may be removed, disconnected and reconnected without damage thereto upon removal of the screw and nut arrangements serving to retain the end plates in compressive relationship relative to the internal resilient members. The resilient members thus serve a plurality of functions as described, there being the necessity for only a single easily constructed and inexpensive element for these several functions.

It is to be understood that, for purposes of description, the exposed conductors may all be considered as connection elements whether in the form of the blocks in a plug or conductor strips exposed on one or both sides thereof.

Having thus described the invention and the present several arrangements thereof, it is desired to emphasize the fact that many further modifications may be resorted to in a manner limited only by a just interpretation of the following claims.

I claim:

1. An electrical connector for use with at multiconductor ribbon cable having a bare conductor end portion, said connector comprising: an enclosure shell having at least one open end; a transverse nonelectrically conducting partition positioned in said shell; a plurality of laterally spaced and aligned contact members fixed in and disposed through said partition, said contact members each having a longitudinally planar portion extending into said shell from an inner' surface of said partition; a preformed resilient member positioned in and in contact with an inner surface of said shell, said resilient member having at least one transverse, ribbon cable receiving slot therein and preformed recesses for reception of portions of said contact members, an end surface of said resilient member engaging said inner surface of said partition; a rigid end plate positioned within said shell and in engagement with the other end surface of said resilient member, said piate having at least one transverse slot therethrough and in coextensive alignment with said slot in said resilient member, said ribbon cable being adapted -for' disposition through said slots in said end plate and said resilient member, said bare conductor portions being positioned in lateral contact with said planar portions of said contact members; and screw means positioned between said partition and said end plate and through said resilient member for applying a force to move Said end plate toward said partition and in a direction to compress said resilient member to force and maintain said conductor portions of said ribbon cable in intimate contact with said contact members.

2. An electrical connector according to claim 1 wherein said screw means comprises a tubular nut carried by and disposed from said partition and elongated screws threadably engaging said tubular nuts, said tubular nuts and screws being positioned about the .periphery of said end plate, said resilient member having cut-out portions in an area of said nuts and screws.

3. An electrical connector for use with at multiconductor ribbon cable, said connector comprising, in cornbination: an enclosure shell having open ends, a transverse partition in a central area of said shell, said partition having a transverse slot therein; a preformed resilient member positioned in each end of said shell, inner end surfaces of said resilient members engaging said partition, said members being positioned in contact with an inner surface of said shell and each having a transverse slot therethrough coextensive with said slot in said partition; a rigid end plate disposed in each open end of said shell and in engagement with outer end surfaces of said resilient members, said plates each having a transverse slot therethrough coextensive with said slots in said resilient members, said ribbon cable being adapted for disposition through said slots in said end plates, resilient members and said partition; `and screw means disposed between said end plates for applying a force to move said end plates toward each other and said partition and in a direction to compress said resilient members to force said resilient members into intimate contact with said ribbon cable.

4. An electrical connector according to claim 3 wherein said ribbon cable is in two sections with bare conductor end portions thereon and disposed with said end portions in contact with each other within contines of said slot in one of said resilient members, said compression of said one of said resilient members serving to force said conductor end portions into intimate contact with each other.

5. An electrical connector according to claim 4 wherein said screw means comprises tubular nuts carried by said partition and elongated screws engaging said end plates and threadably engaging said nuts, there being preformed openings in said resilient members for reception of said nuts and screws,

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,688,735 Hubbell Sept. 7, 1954 2,829,357 Lorch et al. Apr. l, 1958 2,952,002 Angele et al. Sept. 6, 1960 2,965,811 Batcher Dec. 20, 196() 

